Agreement to support volunteers on Salisbury Plain Training Area

The team of volunteers has been promoting the "appropriate use" of public rights of way and permissive access across Salisbury Plain since 2006, when the SPROWV group was established by Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Nigel Linge MBE, then the Range Safety Officer for SPTA.

The volunteers assist DIO and Wiltshire Council in maintaining public rights of way and permissive access routes by reporting maintenance and repair issues with signage, installing new path signage and carrying out route clearance tasks across the extensive training area.

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The groups say the signing of the Volunteer Arrangement "reflects each partner’s commitment to continued co-operation and support to the activities of the volunteers".  

The Arrangement provides a framework for continued support from DIO Senior Training Safety Officers, who have a broad remit in overseeing military training activities and use of SPTA.

It also supports the continued provision of funding and materials through the DIO Conservation Stewardship Fund, which finances conservation and environmental stewardship projects across the Defence estate. This includes projects which support the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) commitment to enabling public access across its estate where safe and appropriate.

Through the Arrangement, Wiltshire Council will provide support ranging from induction training and ongoing support for all volunteers, to appropriate insurance cover while volunteers carry out their work.

The Volunteer Arrangement also sets out a formal process for the appointment of a future Volunteer Coordinator to lead the team of volunteers when Nigel eventually hands over the role, following many years of service to the military community and wider public.

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Since forming the SPROWV under the moniker Project ‘Ubique’ – the battle honour of the Royal Artillery and the Royal Engineers, meaning ‘everywhere’ – Nigel has played an instrumental role in supporting the balance of military training requirements with public access across SPTA.

Nigel, in his role as SPROWV Coordinator, continues to ensure that the public is certain where and when public access is available, providing clarity on where appropriate and legitimate public access lies, and guaranteeing a consistent management approach to public access provision.

The team of volunteers has carried out 370 hours of volunteer work for the MOD since April 2023 alone – the equivalent of just over 46 eight-hour working days.

To date, the volunteers have inserted, repaired or replaced more than 2,000 rights of way signs and waymarks across SPTA.

The 34-mile Imber Range Perimeter Path has been upgraded to a minimum of bridleway, while retaining separate footpath sections over scheduled monuments. In another significant achievement, nearly 10 per cent of the new King Alfred’s Way cycle route uses SPTA rights of way and permissive routes.

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Lieutenant Colonel Vance A Worsley RA, DIO Commandant and Senior Training Safety Officer, Salisbury Plain Training Area, said: “The signing of the Volunteer Arrangement is a milestone achievement and will ensure a continued balance between military training operations and safe, responsible public access across Salisbury Plain Training Area.

“The primary use of our land is to enable our military to train safely, but we are also committed to enabling the public to enjoy the unique and diverse landscapes that Salisbury Plain and other training areas across the UK offer. By working together with Wiltshire Council and the Salisbury Plain Rights of Way Volunteers (SPROWV), we will ensure that public access is maximised while supporting and enabling vital military training.”

Councillor Caroline Thomas, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “We’re passionate about maintaining and maximising public rights of way across the county so people can enjoy Wiltshire’s beautiful scenery and heritage. This includes safe and appropriate public access across the Salisbury Plain Training Area.

“I’m immensely proud of the partnership working between the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, Wiltshire Council and the Salisbury Plain Rights of Way Volunteers, which has culminated in the signing of this Volunteer Arrangement that outlines our continued support for the rights of way volunteers.”